WhatStove?

Review of Dunsley Highlander 7

Not impressed

Sharie 14 years ago

Having had multi fuels before we are used to handling these type of fires, however, despite good reviews online we are very disappointed in this fire.\nWe are light users having central heating installed and normal coal fires in all our main living rooms yet the firebricks cracked within a couple of times of using. The throat plate has also melted and rusted through (despite only using recommended fuels and being careful not to let the stove overheat)as has the riddle part at the bottom. Two years later during the summer months the glass on the front of the stove developed a huge crack through it.\nLighting this fire isn't easy and in my opinion we needed a much stronger fire despite being told by the shop that this fire would easily heat our room and we'd probably end up leaving the door open to allow the heat to circulate around the house! \n Perhaps we've been sold a 'friday afternoon' fire and the workmanship isn't as shoddy in most of these stoves but all I can say is never again :-(\n\nNext time I will go for a Jotul which my parents had and was absolutely brilliant or maybe go and buy a Hunter which we've had in the past and were pleased with.\n\nNeedless to say all the repairs came after the 12 months guarantee were up (having bought it in early summer and it only being used a handful of times that first winter). The people at the shop blamed us for the damage even though we'd taken care of this fire using only recommended fuel and being careful not to overheat. Proving this is another thing!\n

Overall rating:

2.5 flames

Build Quality 1 flames (avg 3.4)
Quality of finish 3 flames (avg 4.4)
Value for money 1 flames (avg 3.9)
Ease of use 3 flames (avg 4.5)
Ease of lighting 2 flames (avg 4.1)
Firebox size 3 flames (avg 4.1)
How well does the airwash work 4 flames (avg 4)
Controllability 2 flames (avg 3.9)
Handle operation 3 flames (avg 4.4)
How likely are you to buy it again? 1 flames (avg 4)
What is your overall satisfaction? 1 flames (avg 4.3)